Importing Cars from the USA — Complete Guide
From choosing a car at a Copart/IAAI auction, through ocean freight and customs clearance, to registration in Poland. A family business with over 20 years of experience in the automotive industry.
At a glance
Why is importing from the USA worth it?
Save 30-40%
Prices at US auctions are significantly lower than at European dealerships — even after adding customs duty and shipping.
Full A-Z service
Bidding, shipping, customs, excise tax, registration — we handle everything. You choose the car, we take care of the rest.
Over 20 years in the industry
We carry on a family automotive tradition. We know the process inside out and we know the market.
Full transparency
Cost estimate before bidding. No hidden fees — you know exactly how much you will pay for the entire import.
About us
A family business with over 20 years of experience in the automotive industry
USA Import Auto is a family business with over 20 years of experience in the automotive industry, specializing in importing cars from the United States to Poland. We carry on a family automotive tradition spanning over 20 years — we import compact sedans, luxury SUVs, powerful pickups, and classic muscle cars. Our office is located in Piaseczno near Warsaw, but we serve clients from all over Poland and Europe.
Why do hundreds of people every year choose to import a car from the USA? The answer is simple — savings of up to 30-40% compared to buying the same model from a European dealer. Even after adding shipping, customs duty, VAT, excise tax, and our fee, importing still comes out significantly cheaper. Contact us for a free, personalized quote for the model you are interested in.
Importing from the USA is not just about savings — it also means access to models that cost a fortune in Europe or were never sold here. Dodge RAM 1500, Chevrolet Corvette, Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler Rubicon — at American auctions, they are readily available and much more affordable.
Benefits of importing
Why import a car from the USA?
The US car market is the largest in the world — every year, millions of vehicles go up for auction. Cars in excellent condition regularly sell for 40-60% of their market value.
Lower auction prices
Ford Mustang GT, Dodge RAM, Camaro SS, Tesla Model 3, and many more — the massive supply on Copart and IAAI means attractive starting prices. Ask for a quote on a specific model.
Richer specifications
Air conditioning, leather, heated seats, cameras, lane assist — all standard in base trims. In Europe, these options cost thousands of euros extra.
Models unavailable in Europe
Dodge RAM, Ford F-150, Ford Bronco, Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Tahoe — cheaper and readily available in the USA.
Transparent vehicle history
Carfax and AutoCheck collect the full history: service records, accidents, mileage. In the USA, odometer rollback is a federal crime.
Check out our completed projects to see what cars we have imported.
Step by step
The import process step by step
Importing a car from the USA is a multi-stage process. Below we describe exactly how it works — from choosing a vehicle to registration in Poland. For details, see our step-by-step guide.
Car selection and VIN verification
Together we analyze listings on Copart, IAAI, and Manheim. We verify the VIN number in Carfax and AutoCheck databases, assess the scope of repairs, and estimate the total import cost. This stage takes 3-7 days. We cover the cost of VIN reports.
Deposit payment
The client pays a refundable deposit of PLN 3,300. If we do not win the auction, the deposit is returned within 3 business days. The deposit is credited toward our service fee.
Auction bidding
We bid live on behalf of the client up to an agreed limit. Copart auctions run daily. The client receives the result immediately. If we do not win, we search for new opportunities at no extra charge.
Settlement after winning
The client has 48 hours to make the payment. Auction price + buyer's fee + document fees. We settle in PLN. The client receives a copy of the auction invoice.
Inland transport in the USA
From the auction lot to the port: Houston, Newark, or Savannah. By flatbed truck. Time: 3-10 days. We handle both drivable and non-drivable vehicles.
Ocean freight
To Bremerhaven or Gdynia. Container or RoRo — the rate depends on the route. Time: 3-5 weeks. The client can track the shipment online.
Customs clearance
Customs duty 10%, VAT 23%, excise tax (3.1% for engines up to 2,000 cc / 18.6% for engines over 2,000 cc). We prepare all documents: Bill of Lading, Title, sworn translations. Time: 2-5 days.
Delivery and registration in Poland
Flatbed delivery to your door, US-to-EU headlight conversion, vehicle inspection, registration at the local transport office. From auction to registration: 6-10 weeks. Full guide →
Finances
Import costs — overview
The total import cost consists of the vehicle price, auction fees, shipping, government duties and taxes, and our service fee. Below is a breakdown — exact amounts depend on the vehicle and route.
| Cost component | Rate / notes |
|---|---|
| Auction price | depends on the vehicle |
| Auction fee (buyer's fee) | per Copart / IAAI schedule |
| Inland transport in the USA | depends on the route |
| Ocean freight (container / RoRo) | depends on the route |
| Customs duty (passenger cars) | 10% |
| VAT | 23% |
| Excise tax (up to 2,000 cc) | 3.1% |
| Excise tax (over 2,000 cc) | 18.6% |
| Our service fee | individual quote |
Exact costs depend on the vehicle — auction price, engine displacement, condition, and shipping route. We will prepare a free, personalized cost estimate for you. Contact us for a quote — call or message us on WhatsApp.
Popular models
Most popular cars from the USA
Over the years, we have imported hundreds of models. Here are the ones that attract the most interest:
Bestseller
Ford Mustang GT
V8 5.0, 450 HP. Our bestseller — 80+ units delivered. Significantly cheaper than at a European dealer. Ask for a quote.
Pickup
Dodge RAM 1500
HEMI V8 5.7, 395 HP. The most popular pickup truck. A fraction of the price of a new one in Europe. Ask for a quote.
Sports car
Chevrolet Camaro SS
V8 6.2, 455 HP. Sports car performance at a great price. Ask for a quote.
0% excise tax!
Tesla Model 3
Electric — exempt from excise tax. Very attractive import cost. Ask for a quote.
Off-road
Jeep Wrangler
An off-road legend. Holds its value well. Significant savings when imported. Ask for a quote.
Premium SUV
Mercedes GLE / BMW X5
Premium SUV at a fraction of the European price. Ask for a quote.
Full gallery: our completed projects →
Auction platforms
Car auctions in the USA
We use several major auction platforms in the USA:
Copart
The largest auction in the USA, 200,000+ vehicles. Salvage and clean titles. Our primary source — 70% of imports.
IAAI
100,000+ vehicles. Particularly good for newer 2020+ models with minor damage.
Manheim
Closed dealer-only auction. Lease fleet vehicles in excellent condition. We have full access.
Vehicle titles:
- Clean title — no damage history. Ready for registration. The most expensive but safest option.
- Salvage title — total loss. Requires repair. The lowest auction prices.
- Rebuilt title — repaired after salvage, passed inspection. Value 15-25% lower than clean. A good compromise.
Logistics
Shipping — container or RoRo?
Container shipping
Enclosed, protected from weather and sea salt. Mandatory for non-drivable vehicles. Shipping 2-3 cars per container reduces the per-unit cost. Time: 3-5 weeks.
✓ Recommended for high-value and non-drivable vehicles
Roll-on / Roll-off
The car drives onto the ship. A cheaper option, but the open deck means exposure to weather conditions. Drivable vehicles only. Time: 3-5 weeks.
✓ Economical choice for drivable vehicles
Freight rates depend on the route, vehicle dimensions, and current shipping market conditions. Contact us for a personalized estimate.
Main routes: Houston/Newark → Bremerhaven/Rotterdam → Gdynia.
Formalities
Customs clearance and registration
Customs clearance is the stage where most people who try to import a car on their own run into difficulties. We have been handling this for over two decades — for us, it is routine.
Required documents:
Certificate of Title
The American equivalent of a vehicle registration document with a sale annotation.
Bill of Sale
The auction purchase invoice confirming the transaction price.
Bill of Lading
The shipping document confirming that the vehicle has been loaded onto the vessel.
Sworn translations
Documents translated into Polish by a certified sworn translator.
US → EU headlight conversion
Turn signal and beam pattern adjustment. Cost depends on the model.
Vehicle technical inspection
Inspection at a certified testing station after the headlight conversion.
The entire customs clearance and registration process usually takes 5-14 business days. We provide our clients with full support at every stage. Find more answers on our FAQ page.
Free quote
Let us prepare a quote for your car
- Quote in 24h
- Full cost breakdown (no hidden fees)
- No obligation
Related reading
Related pages
Online auctions
Browse live car auctions from the USA — Copart, IAAI and Manheim.
Browse auctions →How to import a car from USA
Step-by-step guide from car selection to registration.
Read more →Blog
Guides, news and answers to common doubts about importing.
Read posts →FAQ
Answers to the most frequent questions about car importing.
Read more →Our projects
Our projects — gallery of imports and client reviews.
Read more →Contact
Free import quote within 24 hours.
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